How to Clean Your Gross Furniture Without Nasty Chemicals
Spills are a part of every mom’s life. They sometimes take over our lives…..so wouldn’t it be great to have a way to clean your furniture without chemicals?!?!?!
For example, when we moved into this house and bought new furniture I had the genius idea of owning white-ish couches. I thought, no big deal, I’ll just clean them. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! These things DO NOT come clean! I tried everything, even the strong chemical stuff. In fact, I decided that I don’t like the “comfort” of these couches because they won’t come clean.
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Needless to say, I have given up on these couches and covered them up instead. BUT – I have this oversized chair that I haven’t given up on. It is the same type of material, just a different color.
I also have this old microfiber chair from our first house. It’s funny how easy it is to “brush off” less used or seen furniture. BUT microfiber can look a LOT dirtier than it actually is.
Today I am going to tell you how to clean BOTH types of these pieces of furniture without chemicals. Leather is a whole different ball game. So we aren’t going to talk about them today.
Since I have tried the chemical cleaners and it did NOTHING for the crappy furniture, I decided to make my own cleaner and see what happened. Honestly, if it didn’t work, I wasn’t out anything….they couldn’t look any worse!
DIY Upholstery Cleaner
Freedom from nasty chemicals
Ingredients
- 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1/4 cup Dish soap (I recommend Dawn- it has grease fighting power like nobody's business)
- Peppermint essential oil
- 64 ounce Spray Bottle
- Warm Water
- Funnel
Instructions
- Using a funnel, put all of the ingredients in your bottle except water.
- Fill the rest of the bottle with water.
- Shake it up (You will have to shake it several times during your application.)
- Test in an inconspicuous spot. If it doesn't harm your furniture, continue onto the rest of the piece.
- Spray enough to saturate the stain.
- Wipe with a lint-free cloth, making sure to change areas of cloth; the dirt from the furniture will end up on the cloth. YUCKY!
- Let the furniture dry for 24 hours then vacuum it.
And here are the final products:
Honestly, I am amazed at the transformation. I would have done this years ago had I known……
Before and afters:
Let’s see how long it lasts!
Try this cleaner and let me know how it goes!
Happy Cleaning,
13 Comments
Sara Peterson
Thanks for sharing this! I’ve got all the ingredients and I’m excited to try it out and have clean furniture!
Terri
Going to try this tomorrow! We have almost the exact same chair that our dog loves with the same stains. I wonder if this would work on carpet?
Shelby
This post is a life saver1 My furniture had been getting pretty gross, but I didn’t want to soak it in all those harmful cleaning chemicals that you can buy at the store. So thank you for sharing this!
Brandy
Thanks for sharing. I will try this tomorrow! I need to buy a few things.
Shelby
Excellent tips for upholstery cleaning! Thanks for sharing!
Shelby
Great tips! I am always looking to clean my home, especially my upholstery, in an eco-friendly way. Thanks!
CC Nicodemus
Hello! So you used apple cider vinegar it looks like for this? And did your furniture smell like vinegar at all or did you have enough peppermint oil to cover it up? Thanks!
Lyn
I have used both apple cider and distilled vinegar, the furniture does not smell like vinegar. The soap and oil – regardless of the scent – negates the vinegar smell. I had the same apprehension about using it, but all I could smell was a light peppermint scent. Hope that helps!! Lyn
Casey Fires Shewmaker
How much peppermint oil do you add?
Thanks!
Lyn
I used about 20 drops. You could add more or less depending on your preference. Hope that helps!
Casey Fires Shewmaker
Thanks!! I have all my ingredients ready, can’t wait to try it!
Chemistry Mom
I do hope you remember your high school chemistry! Everything is made of chemicals! Hydrogen peroxide is water with an extra hydrogen and is a strong oxidizer. Vinegar is acetic acid. Dishwashing liquid is made of amphipathic molecules that contain polar or charged hydrophilic groups (heads) at the end of long lipophilic hydrocarbon groups. You have a good recipe that works, because the chemicals you have chosen attract dirt and grease.
Lyn
Thank you Chemistry Mom, all of that does make sense. I wish I could say I thought of all of that when I was concocting the potion, but I am much more simple….what works to get rid of dirt?!?! But thank you for sharing WHY it works! Lyn